Fish tape reel and reel assembly

ABSTRACT

A fish tape reel which includes first and second hollow annular reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape. The reel defines first and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheral wall defines a through void in the reel. A port is provided in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in the compartment.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a fish tape reel of the type used to fishelectrical and telephone cable through conduit. The fish tape isgenerally made of steel or fiberglass. Several types of fish tape reelsare known. One type, exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,780 disclosesfor use in an electrical fish tape reel assembly which includes agenerally annular tape-receiving chamber peripherally bounded by a pairof axially opposed lips adapted to separate to permit winding andunwinding of a fish tape in the chamber. A tape winder is mountedbetween the lips so as to project outside of the reel on its outer walland constructed to be moved peripherally around the reel between thelips. A tape passage through the tape winder permits passage of thetape. A handle is provided for holding the reel. The tape passagedirected outwardly through the winder at an oblique angle to the radiusof the reel and extends through the counter chamber for passage of thetape the tape passage including an inlet passage on the inside of thewinder and an outlet passage on the outside thereof spaced from eachother to provide an aligned rectilinear path for a free span of tape inthe counter chamber. As the handle is moved around the periphery of thereel, the lips spread to permit passage of the tape. Such a product ismade by Ideal Industries.

Another reel uses two solid pie pan-shaped shells attached together toform an inner compartment within which the fish tape is contained. Ahole in one of the shells permits the fish tape to be pulled from andinto the compartment. The hole is positioned on one of the major sidesof the reel. Such a reel is made by Lancier Inc.

The prior art design which permits the lips of the reel to spread topermit the fish tape to exit is relatively complicated, since it alsoincludes a handle with a lock on it which is subject to breakage andwear. The tape is manipulated on the outer peripheral wall of the reel,exposing it to damage such as from dropping or other heavy impact. Sincethe lips of the reel are always open at some point on the outerperipheral wall of the reel, dirt and other contaminants can easilyenter, causing additional wear as well as greater friction making thetape more difficult to extend and retract.

The prior art design which extends the fish tape through the side wallis simpler to operate, but also exposes the tape to damage, since it isexposed on one of the major surfaces of the reel. Another disadvantageof this design is that it is not "ambidextrous." This means simply thattape may not be fed from the reel to either side. Thus, care must betaken to correctly orient the reel side-to-side or top-to-bottom.

Because of safety considerations fiberglass tapes are now commonly usedin place of steel because of their non-conductivity of electricity.Fiberglass tapes are more prone to breakage and must be repaired bysplicing the tape. No known prior art fish tape reel provides aconvenient place for storing small tools, tubes of adhesive and similaraccessories typically used to repair in the field broken fiberglass fishtapes.

The design shown described in this application and claimed in the claimsprovides a means of protecting the fish tape from breakage and damage,is ambidextrous, and provides a convenient means of storing small tools,tubes of adhesive and similar accessories typically used to repair inthe field broken fiberglass fish tapes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a fish tape reelwhich includes first and second hollow annular reel segments matedtogether to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tapecompartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape. The reel definesfirst and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls and inner andouter spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheralwall defines a through void in the reel. Fish tape access means areprovided in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending andretracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in thecompartment.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the peripheralwall of one of the first and second reel segments is slightly greater indiameter than the other of the first and second reel segments and thefirst and second reel segments are releasably mated together by a lapjoint.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the fishtape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port communicating withthe inner peripheral wall of the reel.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the fishtape access means comprises a fish tape feeding port housing positionedon the inner peripheral wall of the reel. The port housing has asubstantially radially extending wall thereon with a fish tape feedingport therein for feeding fish tape therethrough tangent to the innerperipheral wall of the reel.

Preferably, a replaceable wear-reducing grommet is positioned in thefeeding port.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, a storagecompartment for small tools and fish tape repair accessories ispositioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral wall of the reel.

Preferably, the storage compartment comprises a bottom wall and sidewalls integrally formed with at least one of the first or second reelsegments and a lid mounted on at least one of the first or second reelsegments for opening and closing movement relative to the bottom walland side walls.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the fish tapereel includes a first and second hollow annular reel segments matedtogether to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tapecompartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape. The reel definesfirst and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls, and inner andouter spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls. The inner peripheralwall define a through void in the reel. Fish tape access means areprovided in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending andretracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in thecompartment. A fish tape magazine is positioned in the enclosed annularfish tape compartment for holding a length of coiled fish tape. A lengthof fish tape is coiled onto the fish tape magazine.

Preferably, the fish tape magazine comprises an annular outer wall andintegrally-formed opposing side walls defining an outwardly facing fishtape receiving channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the inventionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fish tape reel according to apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fish tape reel shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of both sides of the fish tape reelillustrating how the fish tape may be manipulated from either side.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a fish tape reel assemblyaccording to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and showngenerally at reference numeral 10. As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,first and second hollow annular reel segments 11 and 12 formed of impactresistant ABS plastic are mated together in overlapping relation to forman internal annular tape compartment 14. The reel segments 11 and 12 arereleasably secured together by respective nuts and bolts extendedthrough mating holes 11A, 11b. See FIG. 5. The center portion of thereel segments 11 and 12 are open.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, segments 11 and 12 of reel 10 define firstand second spaced-apart and opposing side walls 15 and 16. These sidewalls 15, 16 are substantially flat. Segments 11 and 12 also defineinner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls 18, 19 whichdefine inner and outer circumferences of the reel 10. The innerperipheral wall 19 defines a through void 20 in reel 10. This void 20 inreel 10 permits it to function as a handle and permits it to be easilycarried.

As is shown in FIG. 2, a magazine 22 constructed of a suitable plasticmaterial, for example, polystyrene, holds a coil of fish tape 23.Magazine 22 has an annular outer wall 24 and integrally-formed opposingside walls 25 and 26 defining a central, inwardly facing channel 27. Theplastic material is selected to provide high impact strength and lightweight. The magazine 22 is shown in profile in FIG. 3. Magazine 22 isslightly smaller in width that the tape compartment of reel 10 and thusslides easily within the compartment as the tape 23 is extended from andretracted into reel 10.

The tape 23 is protected against damage and breakage by placing afeeding port 30 on the inner peripheral wall 18. As is best shown inFIG. 4, a port housing 31 is integrally formed into the inner peripheralwall 18 of the reel 10. The port housing 31 has a substantially radiallyextending wall 32 through which the feeding port 30 extends. The tape 23is thereby required to bend only slightly as it passes off of themagazine 22 and through feeding port 30 tangent to the inner peripheralwall 18 of the reel. A replaceable grommet 33 provides a low frictionbearing surface for the fish tape 23.

Since the feeding port 30 resides on the inner peripheral wall 18, it isprotected from damage while at the same time being ambidextrous, i.e.,the fish tape 23 can pass to either side of the reel as desired.

Referring now to FIG. 2, reel segments 12 and 13 include respective webportions 12A and 13A which, when mated together, form the bottom wall ofa storage compartment 35. The inner peripheral wall 18 of reel 10 formsthe side walls of the storage compartment 35. The storage compartment 35is enclosed by attaching a hinge 36 to the mated webs 12A, 13A. Hinge 36carries a lid 37 which pivots between a closed position, as shown inFIGS. 1, 3 and 4, and an open position which exposes the interior of thecompartment.

A latch 38 is mounted for sliding movement between an open positionwhich releases the lid 37 and a closed position which fastens the lid 38in its closed position. The closed position is maintained by a detent 39integrally formed in the inner peripheral wall 18. A cut-out 40 in thedetent 39 receives the outer end of the latch 38 when the lid 37 isclosed. The lower end 41 of the detent 39 supports the latch 38 and thelid 37 in proper spacing above the bottom wall of the compartment 35.The latch 38 is held to the lid by and slides along a pair of slots 42,43 in lid 38 by screws 44, 45.

The construction described above provides a reel which is simple toconstruct and easy to use. It overcomes many of the problems associatedwith prior art devices.

A fish tape reel is described above. Various details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, theforegoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention andthe best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purposeof illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation--theinvention being defined by the claims.

I claim:
 1. A fish tape reel, comprising:(a) first and second hollowannular reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel havingan enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length ofcoiled fish tape; (b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apartand opposing side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposingperipheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through void insaid reel; (c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall ofthe reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tapecontained in the compartment; and (d) a storage compartment for smalltools and fish tape repair accessories positioned in the void defined bythe inner peripheral wall of the reel.
 2. A fish tape reel,comprising:(a) first and second hollow annular reel segments matedtogether to define a fish tape reel having an enclosed annular fish tapecompartment for receiving a length of coiled fish tape; (b) said reeldefining first and second spaced-apart and opposing side walls, andinner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheral walls, said innerperipheral wall defining a through void in said reel; (c) fish tapeaccess means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel for extending andretracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained in thecompartment, said fish tape access means comprising a fish tape feedingport communicating with the inner peripheral wall of the reel; and (d) astorage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair accessoriespositioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral wall of the reel.3. A fish tape reel, comprising:(a) first and second hollow annular reelsegments mated together to define a fish tape reel having an enclosedannular fish tape compartment for receiving a length of coiled fishtape; (b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apart and opposingside walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposing peripheralwalls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through void in said reel;(c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall of the reel forextending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tape contained inthe compartment; said fish tape access means comprising a fish tapefeeding port housing positioned on the inner peripheral wall of thereel, said port housing having a substantially radially extending wallthereon with a fish tape feeding port therein for feeding fish tapetherethrough tangent to the inner peripheral wall of the reel; and (d) astorage compartment for small tools and fish tape repair accessoriespositioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral wall of the reel.4. A fish tape reel assembly, comprising:(a) first and second hollowannular reel segments mated together to define a fish tape reel havingan enclosed annular fish tape compartment for receiving a length ofcoiled fish tape; (b) said reel defining first and second spaced-apartand opposing side walls, and inner and outer spaced-apart and opposingperipheral walls, said inner peripheral wall defining a through void insaid reel; (c) fish tape access means in the inner peripheral wall ofthe reel for extending and retracting therethrough a length of fish tapecontained in the compartment; (d) a fish tape magazine positioned in theenclosed annular fish tape compartment for holding a length of coiledfish tape; (e) a length of fish tape coiled onto the fish tape magazine;and (f) a storage compartment for small tools and fish tape repairaccessories positioned in the void defined by the inner peripheral wallof the reel.
 5. A fish tape reel according to claim 1, wherein the outerperipheral wall of one of said first and second reel segments isslightly greater in diameter than the other of the first and second reelsegments and said first and second reel segments are releasably matedtogether by a lap joint.
 6. A fish tape reel according to claim 1, 2 or3, wherein said storage compartment comprises a bottom wall and sidewalls integrally formed with at least one of the first or second reelsegments and a lid mounted on at least one of the first or second reelsegments for opening and closing movement relative to the bottom walland side walls.
 7. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim 4,wherein said fish tape magazine comprises an annular outer wall andintegrallyformed opposing side walls defining an inwardly facing fishtape receiving channel.
 8. A fish tape reel assembly according to claim4, wherein the outer peripheral wall of one of said first and secondreel segments is slightly greater in diameter than the other of thefirst and second reel segments and said first and second reel segmentsare releasably mated together by a lap joint.
 9. A fish tape reelassembly according to claim 4, wherein said fish tape access meanscomprises a fish tape feeding port communicating with the innerperipheral wall of the reel.
 10. A fish tape reel assembly according toclaim 4, wherein said fish tape access means comprises a fish tapefeeding port housing positioned on the inner peripheral wall of thereel, said port housing having a substantially radially extending wallthereon with a fish tape feeding port therein for feeding fish tapetherethrough tangent to the inner peripheral wall of the reel.
 11. Afish tape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein said storagecompartment comprises a bottom wall and side walls integrally formedwith at least one of the first or second reel segments and a lid mountedon at least one of the first or second reel segments for opening andclosing movement relative to the bottom wall and side walls.
 12. A fishtape reel assembly according to claim 4, wherein a replaceablewear-reducing grommet is positioned in said feeding port.